Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Permanently importing a motorcycle into the UK (from outside the EU) Permanently importing a motorcycle into the UK (from outside the EU)
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree10Likes

Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 13 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Cleared Customs!
Can you believe it? I've actually received the elusive customs clearance from HMRC this morning, May-13th. 84 days after sending-in my application on February-19th.

WHAT a palaver!

The key to all this is getting the Customs & Excise NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrivals) reference number.

DVLA can now pick-up and get confirmation of the clearance through the NOVA service by identifying the reference number.

All I need to do now, therefore, is send-in a completed form V55/5 (Application for first vehicle tax and registration of a used motor vehicle) to the DVLA; together with
  • 1st time registration fee of £55.00
  • Original New Zealand rego certificate
I have no idea how long the re-registration process will take - but I'm not holding my breath. By the end of the month perhaps? (anyone know?)

Then get the ol' gal MOT'd and road taxed.

I'm hoping I might even be able to ride her up to the HUBBUK Meeting next month.
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 14 May 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith1954 View Post
Can you believe it 84 days
Jeebus Keith it seems like an Odyssey ! Here in Croatia we have Odyssey's cave near Dubrovnik, I can rent it for free for you

Wishing you a quicker solution so the ol' gal can be on the road again

cheers
Dooby
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 29 Jan 2019
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Currently in Australia
Posts: 1
I could do with some advice Keith1954
Hi Keith,

I'm not sure if you will see this as your thread was started a few years ago. I am possibly looking to import my 24 year old bike from Australia, where I have been living for over 12 months. While I know I will probably be VAT free and exempt from needing an IVA, I know I will need to do the catch 22 thing of getting an MOT before I can register the bike, and no doubt many other steps before I can ride her in the UK.

I'm thinking I could really do with an import agents help. I know you had to pay VAT in the end, but would you recommend using an agent? Did it make the process any faster/ easier? How did you find the agent because I am not seeing very many come up when I search? I'm ideally looking for one on the South Coast. Anywhere between Devon and Kent would suit me fine.

Were they involved in the shipping arrangements too, or did you organise that separately?

Thanks for any info you or anyone else can give me!

Poppalina (complete newbie so apologies if I don't know what I am doing)
Last edited by Poppalina; 29 Jan 2019 at 05:50. Reason: Clarity
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 6 Oct 2020
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 1
Who were the agents?
Hi Keith1954,
I read your thread with interest. I am about to move back to UK, from Canada, with my BMW, which I have owned since new 5 years ago. Please can you tell us who the agent was that you used in UK and whether you would recommend them?

JT
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 6 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Colombia,(when not travelling)
Posts: 383
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith1954 View Post
I've just paid 20% VAT and 6% Import Duty (26% in total) on the current value of the bike.

You would be exempt if you qualify for transfer of residence relief. You can qualify if you can prove the following:
  • you are moving your normal home to the UK
  • your normal home was outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months
  • you have owned and used the vehicle for at least 6 months outside of the EU
  • you did not get the vehicle under a duty or tax-free scheme
  • you are going to keep the vehicle for personal use for at least twelve months.


------------------------

AND I haven't finished paying yet! In addition to the import agent's fee (that is, if you employ a specialist agency), I still have to pay:

Change speedo reading from kms to miles ...... £20


There may be one other fee of £85, which will is the cost of a MSVA (Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval) test, IF I cannot get hold of a COC (Certificate of Conformity) from the maufacturer's national agent from where the bike was first registered, which in my case is Blue Wing Honda Ltd in New Zealand.


------------------------

I guess it could have been worse, as you are obliged to notify HMRC within 14 days of bringing a vehicle into the UK permanently. If you don't then you can be fined £5 for every day you’re late telling HMRC.

I imported my bike - ferry to Plymouth from Santander, Spain - on the 21st October last year (2015), but didn't notify HMRC until 23rd March this year. Therefore I could have been facing a fine of £700 (140 days x £5).

BUT no fine has been imposed.
So, I've imported a couple of vehicles (not bikes) to the UK and the list above is what applied at the time(s). EXCEPT that I had not owned one of the vehicles for 6 months - I HAD owned it and used it for 3 months outside the EU, and the VAT was prorated for this period - so half of what it would have been for a new vehicle. The other I had owned for years, outside the EU.

re "Change speedo reading from kms to miles ...... £20" - things may have changed I suppose, however I didn't change the speedometer on the vehicle which has a Km/h speedometer and had no problem with registration and subsequent MOT tests.

I had no problems re conformity - I didn't have a certificate for either vehicle however they just looked at the windows which have the conformity data stamped in them and accepted that.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 6 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny Thorpe View Post
Hi Keith1954,
I read your thread with interest. I am about to move back to UK, from Canada, with my BMW, which I have owned since new 5 years ago. Please can you tell us who the agent was that you used in UK and whether you would recommend them?
JT

Hi Jenny - the agent I used was: UK Import Services Ltd

As I re-call, they were reasonably competent .. but that was 4½ years ago.

Good luck with your move.

cheers

Keith
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Esperance, Western Australia
Posts: 92
I imported a Harley to UK from NZ, where I was living as a dual (NZ/UK) citizen, in 2002.
I had owned the bike in NZ for about a year when I did this.
The bike came into UK as the property of a returning UK resident (me) and I ran it around for a year on NZ plates.
This was in the days of Norwich Union's Rider Insurance policy, so insuring an overseas vehicle was no probs. So easy back then!

When the NZ registration expired, I got an MOT based on its VIN, not licence number - this is SOP.
The test centre I used didn't care/notice that the speedo was Kms only, maybe I just got lucky?
I then walked into a licensing office in Reading, Berkshire, got a UK licence plate for some fiddling fee, can't recall how much but it was way less than GBP100, no VAT, no import duty, nothing else. But you do need paperwork from HMRC proving that the bike came in to the country legally. This was supplied when it was released from the shipper as a returning resident's property.

This was 18 years ago, mind, and shit might be different now.
__________________
Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 842
You don't need to use a specialist importer to import your personal vehicle into the UK, you can do it yourself via a transport company such as Motofreight. It's no different from riding it in off the ferry and you can use it on foreign plates for a period of time.

The requirements for re-registering are laid out here: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

Clearly there are some documents you'll have to provide so it's worth getting those in advance. There is no duty or tax to pay if it's a personal import and you own the vehicle for a certain amount of time before and after import, see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...de-the-eu#sec4
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
And having a KM speedo is not a problem, not an MOT or registration issue, I have registered two imported bikes with them.
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Importing a bike into the US without a Motorcycle license GravyRainbow Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 8 Jan 2014 14:25
Shipping new motorcycle - importing or not? McShizzle Trip Paperwork 11 25 Sep 2013 13:15
Leaving / importing a motorcycle into Iceland Dave222 Iceland 4 2 Jan 2013 11:07
Permanently Importing Foriegn Registered Bike to United States Mountain Cruiser Trip Transport 2 4 Apr 2012 04:34

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:07.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top